Display-rack.



T. N. PIGUERS, J11.

DISPLAY- RACK.

' APPLIOATI N FILED 111111118, 1911.

' 1,003,893, Patented Sept. 19,1911.

WITNESSES INVENTOR THOMAS 1\T. FIGUERS, JR., OF COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE.

DISPLAY-RACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 12, 1911. Serial No. 632,601.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that I, THOMAS N. FIGUERS,

Jr., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Columbia, in the county of Maury and State of Tennessee, have invented certain Improvements in Display-Racks, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention is a rack or skeleton frame for use in shops or stores for supporting and displaying dry goods, gents furnishings, or other articles of use and sale. The same is preferably constructed and applied. as an attachment of a show-case, it being composed of foldable and detachable parts which adapt it to be extended vertically above the show-case for use, or partly dismembered and folded on the back of the show-case in such manner as to remove it from view.

The details of construction are as hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved display rack as attached to a showcase and extended vertically as when re quired for use. Fig. 2 is a rear view showing the rack dismembered and lowered as when not required for use. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the joint or means of connection between the hinge and fold able uprights or posts and the horizontal bars which connect them when the rack is arranged for use.

In the several figures, 1 indicates the fold-- able portions of the uprights or posts and 1 the shorter base portions thereof which are attached to the show-case m, and 2 indicates the horizontal bars which are attached to and connect the upper parts 1 of the uprights when the rack is required for use, as shown in Fig. 1. Two of the longer parts 1 are hinged to the base portion 1 in such manner as to fold inward or toward each other, and the intermediate or middle upright is hinged so as to fold in either direction. When folded, the uprights or posts are pendent on the back of the show case a: and parallel thereto, as shown in Fig. 2. The several relatively longer parts 1 of the uprights are provided with mortises or notches at 3see Fig. 3-to receive the horizontal bars 2 and pivoted buttons 4 are attached to the uprights in such manner that when the horizontal bars 2 are inserted in the mortises 3, they overlie the said bars and thus hold them in place. It is obvious that the buttons form a very convenient means for the purpose, since they may be easily and quickly manipulated to allow i11- sertion or removal of the bars. The base portions 1 of the uprights or posts are secured to the back of the show-case w by screws or by any other preferred means.

"When the parts 1 are extended vertically in alinement with their bases 1, as shown in Fig. 1, the horizontal bars 2 being applied, as also shown, the latter hold the parts 1 firmly in the desired position, since at least two of them fold in opposite direc tions. It is obvious that if all folded in the same direction, this result would not be attained.

When the rack'is not desired for use, the horizontal bars 2 are detached and laid upon the top and back portion of the showcase a, as indicated in Fig. 2, and the up ri 'hts or posts 1 are turned downward alongside the bases 1, or, in other words, they hang pendent on the back of the showcase and parallel thereto and to the bases 1. Thus, when dismembered and folded as described, the rack is practically removed from sight and constitutes no obstruction to use of the show-case in the usual manner.

When extended as in Fig. 1, the rack serves as a very convenient and effective means for supporting and displaying dry goods or gents furnishings or, in fact, any other article that may be on sale in the shop or store where the apparatus is employed.

While the rack is preferably employed as an attachment of a show-case, I do not desire, under all circumstances, to limit myself to this combination, since it is apparent that the rack would be available for use if attached to any other suitable support.

The arrangement of the hinges or joints 1 of the posts is such that while they adapt the upper portions of the same to be readily folded as described, they yet constitute a firm support when the said portions are extended vertically and properly connected by the bars 2. In other words, when extended for use, the entire frame is duly Patented Sept. 19,1911. 1

rigid and at the'same time is constructed of so light material as not to appreciably obstruct the passage ofair or light.

WVhat I claim is 1. The combination with a support having a vertical side, of a display rack comprising two-part uprights formed of relatively short pieces secured to the back of said support vertically and longer parts or pieces hinged to such shorter ones and adapted to stand vertically thereon when extended above the support, and also to fold alongside the same on the back of the support, and horizontal bars and means for securing them detachably to the longer portions of the uprights when the latter are extended vertically, as shown and described.

2. The combination with a support hav ing a vertical side, of two-part uprights, the relatively shorter portions thereof being secured vertically on the back of the support and longer parts hinged to the upper ends of the shorter ones so as to fold inward or toward each other and horizontal bars and means for fastening them to such longer portions of the uprights when eX- tended vertically, thereby forming a rigid structure, as shown and described.

3. The improved rack, comprising a series of uprights composed of two portions, one of which is hinged to the other so that the top portion is adapted to fold downward, the uprights having a series of notches and horizontal bars adapted to fit in said notches, and means for securing them detachably therein, substantially as described.

4. In a display rack, the combination of a series of uprights having base portions adapted to be secured to a show-case, and longer portions hinged thereto so that they told toward each other, and one of them be ing adapted to fold opposite the others, as shown and described.

THOMAS N. FIGUERS, JR.

Witnesses:

R. W. THOMAS, R. E. HAYNES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

